Making Virtual Reality a Reality

Walks readers through the key components of developing library-led research and programming that leverages emerging technologies with the goal of engaging students and faculty.

As educational curricula and research evolve to include advanced technologies, libraries must offer programming with these emerging technologies in mind, including the use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). In this timely guide, Valk, Mi, and Schick present readers with tools for assessing their level of organizational readiness to begin such programs and, more importantly, how to sustain them with limited budgets, expertise, and resources.

Building on their own experiences, the authors teach readers how to develop technology-rich classes, assess student projects, and overcome technical hurdles. They spotlight this kind of programming as integral to building strategic partnerships in an educational environment. Readers will learn how to adapt and design programs or initiatives in which the necessary technologies are rapidly changing, not only in higher education institutions, but also in schools. Worksheets and resources assist readers in reflecting on their own work and developing educational programming to suit their organizational needs.

Auteur

Alison Valk is the Instructional Coordinator and Multimedia Librarian for the Georgia Tech Library. She teaches approximately 100 workshops a year on professional multimedia software, including tools for AR/VR, video/audio editing, and graphic design. In 2016, she became the program manager for the Georgia Tech Library's instruction program and service owner of the library's Media Scholarship Commons. As instructional coordinator, she oversees the development of the library's educational curriculum. She leads numerous specialized educational programs that incorporate emerging technologies, as well as a federal Institute for Museum and Library Services grant-funded program that integrates arts-based projects and library resources into the curriculum.